Anyone with a newer cell phone in Illinois will get automatic weather alerts starting June 18th.  Chris Miller, with the National Weather Service in Lincoln, says people will receive several types of messages.

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Miller says people will get the alerts no matter what part of the country they're in.

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He adds people won't be charged anything to receive the alerts.

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The system will also provide alerts for hurricanes and tsunamis when people travel outside the state.  It will also send out AMBER alerts and presidential alerts, which means the message is coming straight from the president or his staff.  The messages will only go to phones that have been purchased within the last six months.  If you don't want to receive the alerts, you have to contact your cell phone provider and opt out.